Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Electronic Filing System. http://estta.uspto.gov
ESTTA Tracking number:
ESTTA983716
Filing date:
06/26/2019
IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
Notice of Opposition
Notice is hereby given that the following party opposes registration of the indicated application.
Opposer Information
- Name
- DC Comics
- Partnership
- Entity
- Citizenship
- New York
- Composed Of:
- E.C. Publications, Inc. a New York corporation, and Warner Communications
LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company
- Address
- 2900 West Alameda Avenue
Burbank, CA 91505 UNITED STATES
Attorney information
James D. Weinberger Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu, P.C. 151 West 42nd Street 17th Floor New York, NY 10036 UNITED STATES [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] (212) 813-5900
Applicant Information
- Application No
- 88303465
- Publication date
- 06/18/2019
- 07/18/2019
- Opposition Filing
Date
- 06/26/2019
- Opposition Peri-
od Ends
- Applicant
- SHP Animation LLC
500 West Putnam Avenue, 4th Floor Greenwich, CT 06830 UNITED STATES
Goods/Services Affected by Opposition
Class 028. First Use: 0 First Use In Commerce: 0 All goods and services in the class are opposed, namely: Toys, games, and playthings, namely, toy action figures, toy vehicles and gamesin the nature of board games and miniature toy sports games
Class 041. First Use: 0 First Use In Commerce: 0 All goods and services in the class are opposed, namely: Entertainment services, namely, the provision of continuing television shows and movies in the field of animated cartoons delivered by television, and animation production services
Grounds for Opposition
Priority and likelihood of confusion Dilution by blurring
Trademark Act Section 2(d) Trademark Act Sections 2 and 43(c)
Marks Cited by Opposer as Basis for Opposition
U.S. Registration No.
- 2943882
- Application Date
- 03/31/2004
- NONE
- Registration Date
- 04/26/2005
SUPERGIRL
Foreign Priority Date
Word Mark Design Mark
Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 025. First use: First Use: 2000/00/00 First Use In Commerce: 2000/00/00
Clothing for men, women and children - namely, shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jogging suits, trousers, pants, shorts, tank tops, rainwear, skirts, blouses, dresses, [ suspenders, sweaters,] jackets, coats, [ raincoats, ties, robes,] hats, caps, sunvisors, belts, [scarves,] sleepwear, pajamas, lingerie, underwear, boots, shoes, sneakers, sandals, booties, [ slipper socks,] swimwear and masquerade and Halloween costumes and masks sold inconnection therewith
U.S. Registration No.
- 3023091
- Application Date
- 03/31/2004
- NONE
- Registration Date
- 12/06/2005
SUPERGIRL
Foreign Priority Date
Word Mark Design Mark Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 018. First use: First Use: 2003/00/00 First Use In Commerce: 2003/00/00
Athletic bags, [ baby backpacks, ] backpacks, [ beach bags, ] book bags, [ diaper bags, ] duffel bags, gym bags, tote bags, coin purses, [ fanny packs, ] knapsacks, [ waist packs, mesh shopping bags;] umbrellas; wallets
U.S. Registration No.
- 1181536
- Application Date
- 09/18/1979
- NONE
- Registration Date
- 12/08/1981
SUPERMAN
Foreign Priority Date
Word Mark Design Mark Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 041. First use: First Use: 1941/00/00 First Use In Commerce: 1941/00/00
Entertainment Services-Namely, Series of Motion Pictures, Television Programs, Animated Cartoon Films [ and Water Shows]
U.S. Registration No.
- 1209668
- Application Date
- 09/18/1979
- NONE
- Registration Date
- 09/21/1982
SUPERMAN
Foreign Priority Date
Word Mark Design Mark Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 016. First use: First Use: 1937/00/00 First Use In Commerce: 1937/00/00
Books Concerning Memorabilia Relating to Fictional Characters, Children's Books, Coloring Books, Puzzle Books, Poster Books, Nonfiction Books Regarding the Production of Motion Pictures and Television Programs, Greeting Cards, Notepads andPosters, Paper Napkins, Paper Tablecloths, Calendars, [ Pencil Sharpeners, ] Cardboard Center Pieces [, Writing Slates]
U.S. Registration No.
- 3018682
- Application Date
- 04/05/2004
- NONE
- Registration Date
- 11/22/2005
- Foreign Priority
Date
- Word Mark
- KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG
Design Mark
Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 041. First use: First Use: 2005/03/25 First Use In Commerce: 2005/03/25
Entertainment services in the nature of[ live-action, comedy, drama and animated television series; production of live-action, comedy, drama and animated television series; ] distribution and display of live-action, comedy, drama and animated motion picture theatrical films; [ production of live-action, comedy, dramaand animated motion picture theatrical films; theatrical performances both animated and live action; internet services providing information via an electronic global computer network in the field of ] entertainment [ relating specifically to music, movies, and television; providing general interest news, entertainment, and educational information via a global computer network; and providing information for and actual entertainment ] via electronic global communications network in the nature of live-action, comedy,drama and animated programs [ and production of live-action comedy, action and animated motion films for distribution via a global computer network ]
U.S. Registration No.
- 394923
- Application Date
- 10/25/1941
- NONE
- Registration Date
- 05/05/1942
SUPERBOY
Foreign Priority Date
Word Mark Design Mark Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 016. First use: First Use: 1941/09/01 First Use In Commerce: 1941/09/01
Magazine Publication
U.S. Registration No.
- 1221719
- Application Date
- 05/10/1982
- NONE
- Registration Date
- 12/28/1982
SUPERBOY
Foreign Priority Date
Word Mark Design Mark Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 016. First use: First Use: 1941/09/01 First Use In Commerce: 1941/09/01
Comic Magazines
U.S. Registration No.
- 3784483
- Application Date
- 09/23/2009
- NONE
- Registration Date
- 05/04/2010
SUPERWOMAN
Foreign Priority Date
Word Mark Design Mark
Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 028. First use: First Use: 2007/04/00 First Use In Commerce: 2007/04/00
action figures and accessories therefor
U.S. Registration No.
- 2861443
- Application Date
- 11/05/2002
- NONE
- Registration Date
- 07/06/2004
- Foreign Priority
Date
- Word Mark
- SUPER FRIENDS
Design Mark Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 009. First use: First Use: 2003/04/22 First Use In Commerce: 2003/04/22
[Motion picture films featuring comedy,drama, action, adventure and/or animation, and motion picture films for broadcast on television featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure and/or animation; prerecorded vinyl records, audio tapes, audio-video tapes, audio video cassettes,]audio video discs, and digital versatile discs featuring music, comedy, drama, action, adventure, and/or animation[; stereo headphones; batteries; cordless telephones; hand-held calculators; audio cassette and CD players; CD ROM computer game discs; hand-held karaoke players, telephone and/or radio pagers; short motion picture film cassettes featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure and/or animation to be used with hand-held viewers or projectors; video cassette recorders and players, compact disc players, digital audio tape recorders and players, electronic diaries; radios; mouse pads; eyeglasses, sunglasses and cases therefore; audio tapes and booklets sold as a unit featuring comedy, drama, action, adventure, animation and music information; computer programs, namely, software linkingdigitized video and audio media to a global computer information network; game equipment sold as a unit for playing a parlor-type computer game; video and computer game programs; video game cartridges and cassettes; cellular telephone accessories, namely, hands-free accessories,cellular telephone covers and cellular telephone face covers; encoded magnetic cards, namely, phone cards, credit cards, cash cards, debit cards and magnetic key cards; and decorative magnets]
U.S. Application No.
88052728 NONE
- Application Date
- 07/25/2018
- NONE
- Registration Date
- Foreign Priority
Date
- Word Mark
- SUPER-PETS
Design Mark
Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 016. First use: First Use: 2011/01/00 First Use In Commerce: 2011/01/00
Children's books
U.S. Application No.
88108551 NONE
- Application Date
- 09/07/2018
- NONE
- Registration Date
- Foreign Priority
Date
- Word Mark
- SUPER-PETS
Design Mark Description of Mark
NONE
- Goods/Services
- Class 009. First use: First Use: 2012/07/17 First Use In Commerce: 2012/07/17
Electronic downloadable publications, namely, children's books
Attachments
78393846#TMSN.png( bytes ) 78393883#TMSN.png( bytes ) 78396438#TMSN.png( bytes ) 71448096#TMSN.png( bytes ) 77833501#TMSN.png( bytes ) 88052728#TMSN.png( bytes ) 88108551#TMSN.png( bytes ) F3105078.pdf(139418 bytes )
Signature Name
/s/ James D. Weinberger James D. Weinberger
- 06/26/2019
- Date
IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
DC COMICS,
Opposer,
-against-
SHP ANIMATION LLC,
Applicant.
NOTICE OF OPPOSITION
DC Comics (“Opposer”), a New York partnership located at 2900 W. Alameda Ave.,
Burbank, California 91505, believes that it will be damaged by the issuance of a registration for the mark SUPER PAWS to SHP Animation LLC (“Applicant”), in International Classes 28 and 41 applied for in Application Serial No. 88/303,465 (the “Application”) and therefore opposes the same pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Lanham Trademark Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. § 1063(a).
As grounds therefore, Opposer alleges as follows: 1.
DC Comics and its predecessors-in-interest (collectively, “DC Comics”) is the
publisher of comic books and magazines featuring comic characters and stories, including the world-famous character Superman. DC Comics is among the most well-known and successful publishers of comic magazines in the world. It has created and published highly successful and well-known characters, including Superman, Supergirl, Superboy, Superwoman, Krypto the Superdog, the Super Friends, the DC Super Heroes and DC Super Hero Girls.
- 2.
- Over the many years since the Superman character was first introduced in 1938,
DC Comics has focused an enormous amount of attention and effort to develop the Superman mythos, including the character, his associates, his world, and other indicia associated with him.
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Throughout the period of Superman’s existence, DC Comics has invested a vast amount of
creative energy and resources to continually update and improve the Superman property to keep
the character and his adventures timely and fresh in the public’s mind. Opposer’s efforts in this
regard have led to a vast array of literary works, television series, and feature films, which fully explore in great depth Superman himself and the fictional world inhabited by him. Due to
Opposer’s extraordinary nurturing of the Superman mythos, the character and his universe have
captured the popular imagination, and it is beyond dispute that today the Superman lore is one of a rarified group of legends known and loved throughout the world.
3.
Because of DC Comics’ shepherding and careful development of not just the
Superman character, but also of his universe and of the things and people that populate that universe, Superman has become associated with certain symbols and indicia which, in the public mind, are inextricably linked with the Superman character and which function as trademarks, both for literary and entertainment works featuring Superman and related characters and for various goods and services for which Opposer has licensed others to use these marks. Among these indicia are the well-known trademarks SUPERMAN, SUPERGIRL, SUPERWOMAN, SUPERBOY, SUPER FRIENDS, KRYPTO THE SUPER DOG, LEGION OF SUPER-PETS, SUPER-PETS, the DC SUPER HEROES, and DC SUPER HERO GIRLS (collectively,
“Opposer’s Marks”).
- 4.
- The KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG trademark has been used together with
Superman since the 1950s. The mark appears across virtually all media in which the Superman character is exploited. In addition, DC has used or licensed the use of the KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG mark in connection with goods with which entertainment characters are traditionally licensed.
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2
- 5.
- The LEGION OF SUPER-PETS trademark has been used together with
Superman since the 1960s. The SUPER-PETS trademark has been used as a stand-alone mark together with Superman since at least as early as 2011 in connection with children’s books and
2012 in connection with electronic children’s books.
6.
Opposer is the owner of all right, title, and interest in and to Opposer’s Marks in
connection with a vast array of goods and services based on first use in commerce prior to any date upon which Applicant can rely, including but not limited to entertainment services and products, such as motion pictures and television programs, as well as a vast array of consumer products and services such as clothing, bags, books, toys, games and stationery.
7.
As a result of Opposer’s reputation, use, enormous sales success and significant investment in advertising, Opposer’s Marks have developed secondary meaning and significance in the minds of the public and have become strong trademarks identifying Opposer’s products exclusively. As such, Opposer’s Marks represent an enormous goodwill and are extremely
valuable assets to Opposer.
8.
As a result of Opposer’s reputation, use, substantial sales success, inestimable popularity, and significant investment in advertising, Opposer’s Marks have become famous
trademarks and became famous prior to any date upon which Applicant can rely.
9.
Opposer owns numerous U.S. trademark registrations for Opposer’s Marks in connection with goods and services including, but not limited to, the following:
SUPERGIRL, U.S. Reg. No. 2,943,882, registered April 26, 2005 for “Clothing
for men, women and children - namely, shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jogging suits, trousers, pants, shorts, tank tops, rainwear, skirts, blouses, dresses, jackets, coats, hats, caps, sunvisors, belts, sleepwear, pajamas, lingerie, underwear, boots, shoes,
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3sneakers, sandals, booties, swimwear and masquerade and Halloween costumes
and masks sold in connection therewith” in International Class 25, based on first
use in 2000;
SUPERGIRL, U.S. Reg. No. 3,023,091 registered December 6, 2005 for “Athletic
bags, backpacks, book bags, duffel bags, gym bags, tote bags, coin purses,
knapsacks, umbrellas; wallets” in International Class 18, based on first use in
2003;
SUPERMAN, U.S. Reg. No. 1,181,536, registered December 8, 1981, for
“Entertainment Services-Namely, Series of Motion Pictures, Television Programs,
Animated Cartoon Films” in International Class 41, based on first use in 1941;
SUPERMAN, U.S. Reg. No. 1209668, registered September 21, 1982, for “Books
Concerning Memorabilia Relating to Fictional Characters, Children’s Books, Coloring Books, Puzzle Books, Poster Books, Nonfiction Books Regarding the Production of Motion Pictures and Television Programs, Greeting Cards, Notepads and Posters, Paper Napkins, Paper Tablecloths, Calendars, Cardboard Center Pieces” in International Class 16, based on first use in 1937;
KRYPTO THE SUPERDOG, U.S. Reg. No. 3,018,682, registered November 22,
2005 based on first use in March 2005, for “Entertainment services in the nature of live-action, comedy, drama and animated television series; production of liveaction, comedy, drama and animated television series; distribution and display of live-action, comedy, drama and animated motion picture theatrical films; production of live-action, comedy, drama and animated motion picture theatrical films; theatrical performances both animated and live action; internet services
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4providing information via an electronic global computer network in the field of entertainment relating specifically to music, movies, and television; providing general interest news, entertainment, and educational information via a global computer network; and providing information for and actual entertainment via electronic global communications network in the nature of live-action, comedy, drama and animated programs and production of live-action comedy, action and animated motion films for distribution via a global computer network” in
International Class 41;
SUPERBOY (stylized), U.S. Reg. No. 394,923, registered on May 5, 1942 for
“Magazine Publication” in International Class 16, based on first use in 1941;
SUPERBOY, U.S. Reg. No. 1,221,719, registered on December 28, 1982, for
“comic magazines” in International Class 16, based on first use in 1941;
SUPERWOMAN, U.S. Reg. No. 3,784,483, registered May 4, 2010, for “action
figures and accessories therefor” in International Class 28, based on first use in
April 2007; and
SUPER FRIENDS, U.S. Reg. No. 2,861,443, registered July 6, 2004 for audio
video discs, and digital versatile discs featuring music, comedy, drama, action, adventure, and/or animation in International Class 9 based on first use in April 2003.
All of the registrations for Opposer’s Marks relied upon herein are valid, subsisting and in full effect and serve as prima facie evidence of the validity of the mark and of Opposer’s exclusive
right to use the mark in connection with the goods and services identified therein, pursuant to Section 33(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1115(a). Additionally, most of the above-
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5referenced registrations have become incontestable under Section 15 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1065, and therefore serve as conclusive proof of Opposer’s exclusive right to use the
mark in connection with the goods and services identified therein, as provided by Section 33(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1115(b).
- 10.
- Opposer is also the owner of the following pending U.S. trademark applications:
SUPER-PETS, App. Ser. No. 88/052,728, filed July 25, 2018 for “children’s